Lending rules will change from 2026

Starting from January 29, 2026, financial institutions in Uzbekistan will begin working with clients in a new format when issuing consumer loans. The Central Bank of the Republic has approved a number of changes aimed at increasing financial literacy among the population and protecting borrowers’ rights.

One of the main innovations is the introduction of an obligation to provide citizens with a special checklist detailing all risks associated with credit obligations. This legal change was registered with the Ministry of Justice on October 28, 2025, and envisions a significant revision of the minimum requirements for commercial banks’ operations.

The main goal of the reform is to make the loan process for individuals as transparent and conscious as possible. According to the Central Bank leadership, introducing a standardized list of risks (checklist) will allow citizens to make more informed and considered decisions before signing a credit agreement.

The draft document, which went through public discussion in August of this year, specifies four key theses for the checklist. The borrower must confirm their understanding of the following points with their signature: - “Credit is an expense”; - “I have carefully read the loan repayment schedule”; - “My income is sufficient to make loan payments”; - “I am aware of the consequences of late loan payments.”

The new rules pay special attention to digital banking services. When processing loans via mobile apps or websites, it is strictly prohibited to use pre-selected checkboxes or other elements indicating the client’s automatic consent to any terms.

In addition, banks are restricted from pre-filling key loan parameters such as amount, interest rate, and term in online forms. “This ensures clients’ freedom to make decisions when using banking services, increases transparency of terms, and prevents potential disputes between banks and clients in the future,” emphasized the regulator’s press service.

Furthermore, every bank must have a procedure for revising credit agreements, which must be transparent for consumers. These measures are aimed at borrowers facing financial difficulties and unable to fulfill their obligations on time.

The regulator also directly prohibits a range of unfair practices. From now on, financial institutions are prohibited from: - Actively encouraging clients to take a loan amount higher than initially requested; - Laying claim to state social benefits and other types of material assistance; - Demanding loan repayment before the calendar date specified in the contract or payment schedule.

Another important innovation concerns information about the deposit guarantee system. Banks must provide clients with complete information about the activities of the Citizens’ Deposit Guarantee Fund.

They must explain which deposits are protected, the maximum payment amounts, as well as the procedure and deadlines for receiving compensation in case the bank’s license is revoked. All these changes will come into force three months after official registration, i.e., from January 29, 2026.

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